MISSISSAUGA – Chanting slogans in support of “work-life balance,” and holding signs and flags, a group of Ontario government employees demonstrated today outside their office building in Mississauga, while other colleagues did the same in locations such as Kingston and Peterborough. The reason for the protests was to oppose the Ontario government’s decision to mandate a full-time return to the office, putting an end to the “hybrid” work model introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Until last December, provincial public sector employees were allowed to work from home two days a week. As of today, however, after several years of working in a mixed arrangement, a mandatory five-days-a-week in-office requirement has officially come into effect.

The measure, announced by Premier Doug Ford last August, definitively closes the chapter on the hybrid work model that had been in place for more than five years. Some workers had previously raised practical concerns, such as a lack of sufficient office space to accommodate all staff, but Ford downplayed the issue, assuring that it would be resolved and calling it “a small bump.” He added: “It’s great to have everyone back to work, like every other normal citizen,” said Ford. “You know, you go out there, and you show up five days a week.”

As mentioned, however, workers took to the streets today to protest. “The hybrid model worked great for us,” one employee told CTV/CP24 while holding a CUPE flag, the public sector union. “I don’t understand why we have to come in every day.” Among the demonstrators was Bobbette Slater, who has worked for *Ontario Health atHome* for 17 years. Being able to work from home a few days a week allowed her to better balance work and family life, which in turn made her more effective professionally. In her view, mandatory in-office work five days a week will not lead to real improvements, not even in terms of collaboration. “When we’re here a few days a week, we still see each other. We communicate with each other as effectively as we’ve always done,” she said.

Maxine Laing Peart, a public sector employee and vice-president of CUPE Local 966, also opposes the new rule. She explained that during the pandemic some colleagues moved farther away from their workplaces and will now have to spend more time commuting, taking time away from their families. “I think remote work is more productive,” Peart told CTV/CP24. While acknowledging that some downtown businesses may have suffered due to fewer workers being physically present, she pointed out that her office is neither located downtown nor in a commercial area. She therefore proposes a staff rotation system. “One week you have half of your workforce in for five days, the other half just rotate them in,” she suggested.

The widespread return to in-person work is a trend expected to strengthen in 2026. In February, Alberta’s public sector employees will also be required to return to the office full time.

In the private sector, companies such as Rogers Communications have adopted similar policies, following the lead of many major Canadian banks that, as early as 2025, required employees to return to the office at least four days a week. In the public sector, however, bringing employees back to the office is proving to be significantly more challenging.

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